“I see we need to work on your gag reflex. Now, relax.” Gently, he guides her head up then down again. “Cover your teeth with your lips when you slide down.”
The tip of his penis touches the back of her throat, once again. She gags and her body tenses.
“Sophia, relax the muscles in your throat.”
He continues to coax her up and down his shaft. The gagging reflex lessens a little each time she slides back down.
Aden’s inner gargouille can smell Sophia’s growing desire. He groans then draws her to a standing position then claims her lips. His kiss is firm and urgent. Breaking the kiss, he holds her at arm’s length with a devilish grin.
“I was an Eagle Scout growing up.” He holds the tie up in his hand.
“Why am I not surprised?” Her voice squeaks.
“Can you guess my area of interest?”
“If I guess correctly, will you put the tie down?”
“No.” Aden shakes his head, slowly. “You opened the door to this play scene when you tied my hands. Now, it’s my turn.” He spins her around, pushing her upper body over the front, right-hand side of the desk.
“What are you doing?”
“I warned you before you started playing,” he says. “I got loose. And now, it’s my turn.”
“No. Wait. I um. . .”
Aden brings her hands together behind her back and secures them with the tie. Grabbing hold of the waistband of the boxers, he pulls them over her ass then down her hips, exposing her swollen, throbbing sex.
“Have you ever been spanked before?”
“Spanked?” Sophia’s brows shoot up. “What?”
“I’ll take that as a no. I’m going to enjoy seeing your pale skin turn pink and warm under my touch.” His hand glides over her smooth, flawless skin. Raising a hand, he gives the right cheek of her ass a quick swat.
“Oh, my God,” she yelps. “What the hell are you doing?” She squirms on top of the desk.
“Don’t move.” He stills her movements.
With quick, short bursts, he spanks her ass, once again. But this time, his hand alternates between her left then right cheeks. A light, rosy hue covers the milky white skin.
Taking a deep breath, she opens her mouth, but nothing comes out, not even a sound.
His hand glides over the sensitive red flesh, spreading the warmth under his palm. His fingers slide down to the hood of her clitoris, and he applies steady pressure on the sensitive nub.
Sophia’s body trembles and a moan passes her full pink lips.
“God. Sophia.” He ushers a low, throaty growl. “I like that you’re so wet and receptive to my touch.”
Aden lets go of Sophia’s tied hands.
Panting on top of the desk, she tries to catch her breath.
Aden slides the top draw of his desk open just enough to slip his hand inside. He feels around and grabs hold of a condom package. Tightly wedged between his fingers, he tears the top portion off. The sound of paper tearing wafts in the air.
“Wait. Is that a condom?” The words sound more like a squeak than spoken language. “Where the hell did the condom come from? What? Do you keep stashes of them everywhere?”
“Shh...” Aden’s hand slides up her bare right thigh then over her hip. He spreads Sophia’s legs wider apart. His body brushes up against her skin, and the head of his penis presses at the opening of her quivering flesh. Control. He must exercise full control. Slowly, he slides the tip just inside then stops moving.
Sophia’s muscles contract around the head, trying to take more of him in, but he withdraws, slowly, toying with her.
Hands on her hips, Aden stills her movements then reenters. When Sophia moves, he withdraws his shaft, once more.
“Please, Aden.” A whimper passes her lips.
He remains still and silent, waiting for her to comply.
“I want to feel you inside me.”
He slowly slides the length of his erect shaft into her quivering flesh. When she moves, he stops.
“Oh, my God, Aden, please.”
His body remains motionless as he holds her down on top of the desk.
“Please. I want to feel you move inside me.” Her voice has an underline whine to it.
He moves his body, slowly, back and forth. When Sophia tries to slide back over his shaft, he holds her in place then stops moving.
“Oh, my God! Will you just fuck me already?”
“I thought you’d never ask.” Aden groans. He unleashes his inner gargouille and thrusts forward. The pounding sensation of his body slamming against the rosy flesh of her ass intensifies the sexual tension building between them.
“Mmm...that feels good. God. Please. Don’t stop.”
He swivels his hip to the side, thrusting at a sideways angle, and Sophia moans.
“I take it you liked that.”
“Oh, God, yes.”
“Shall I do it again?”
“Yes, please.”
He thrusts forward while rotating his hips. “Do you like this?”
“Oh, my God,” she cries out, and her body shudders. “I want you to do that again and again.”
“I aim to please.”
Aden’s momentum continues at a steady pace. He allows Sophia to grow accustomed to the angle of his thrusts then changes direction, slightly. He swivels to the side, and the head of his penis strokes a sensitive spot inside her body that makes her thighs quiver.
“Damn. Your g-spot is in a convenient location.” Aden groans. “Do you want to come?”
“Oh, my God, more than anything, yes. Please, I want to come.”
“Then come for me.” Aden’s deep rich tone takes her body over the edge.
Aden continues to thrust. A steady current of magic swirls around them.
Holding onto her hips, he keeps their momentum steady. When he reaches a climax, he stills his movement then breaths in the scent of their combined lust. Leaning over Sophia’s body, he brushes the hair from her face then kisses her. Gently, he unties her hands then draws her into his arms.
“God, Sophia. You’re all I’ve thought about since I woke this morning.”
Her eyes are desire-ridden.
He claims her lips in a tender kiss then nibbles on her jawline.
She fits perfectly in his arms as if they were made for each other. And the faint, familiar aroma of soap, shampoo, and her scent fills his nose. It makes him feel as if he’s home.
Sophia’s life is shaky right now, and he knows he’s taking her down an unknown path. But right now, he doesn’t care because he’s right where he wants to be. Closing his eyes, Aden gives into the emerging emotions washing through his mind. The ones that are tugging and pulling at him. He wants her heart, body, and soul. But he wonders what this sliver of happiness will cost him; and moreover, what it will cost her.
Chapter Three
Sophia Mahoney
THE ENTRANCE of the bookstore is standing wide open. Sophia steps across the threshold with Aden on her heels. Since meeting him in the office this morning, he hasn’t left her side.
She enters the lobby, and an electric drill buzzes in her ears. Two men are working on the main door of the building. The rubber soles of the tennis shoes she picked up earlier, drum lightly on the hardwood floor. Her chest tightens because she’s not sure what she’ll find when she heads upstairs.
From what Logan relayed to Aden earlier on the phone, the men, the ones who broke in and set fire to her room, burned everything she owned in the world, but why? Why the hell did they do it? Why her? Walking toward the banister, she draws in a deep breath then sighs. Now is as good of a time as any to assess the damage.
Taking the stairs one at a time, her hand slides over the railing for support. Halfway up, she picks up the faint smell of paint in the air. When she reaches the top, the sound of indistinct voices grows louder than before. They’re coming from the bedroom. Approaching the open doorway, she peeks inside.
Logan is standing in the mi
ddle of her empty bedroom. The windows are open, and he’s talking on the phone. All evidence of the fire has been wiped clean. Fresh tan paint now covers the walls. But she can’t help but wonder what has happened to the furnishings that were here before. Stepping into the bathroom, she examines the new wooden door. It’s thick and solid.
The only window in the small confined space is open, too. A man is standing on the metal platform outside. Wow. Guess Logan has thought of everything, even the fire escape.
Approaching footsteps resonate behind her. Spinning around, Sophia comes face-to-face with Logan. He’s grinning from ear-to-ear. His eyes rake up and down her frame. She can only guess what thoughts are running through his mind, especially after the shared dream experience. A steady warmth washes over her body, and her cheeks heat up.
Logan slips his phone into the front pocket of his jeans. He walks up then draws Sophia into his arms and kisses her right cheek.
“Uhm...” Sophia takes a few steps back.
“Relax.” He chuckles. “How are you this morning?” Logan has a wicked grin plastered across his face. “Did you sleep well?”
Memories of Aden and the hot tub flash before her eyes. “Yes. I did.” Casting her eyes downward, she avoids his hot gaze. Why the hell would he ask that?
“Don’t do that.” He tilts her chin up.
Sophia swallows hard then struggles to keep control of her voice. “Do what?”
“Look away from me.” Logan peers down into her eyes. “You have nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about.”
Holding his steady gaze makes the butterflies in the pit of her belly stir. How the hell am I supposed to respond to that? I don’t understand. Did Aden say something to him about last night? Or is it because of the dream?
Logan extends a hand, waiting for Sophia to take it.
Tentatively, she places her hand on his. Then Logan leads her out of the bathroom. He explains the work taking place on the fire escape, as well as the new security system being installed. His words, they swirl around, overwhelming her. There’s no way in hell she can afford to pay for the things he’s talking about. And to make matters worse, he informs her that the replacement furnishings will arrive later this afternoon once the paint has completely dried.
Anger rises in the pit of her belly. “Logan. You should’ve asked before conducting these repairs and ordering furniture.”
“Why?”
“Because they’re costly, and with my uncle’s death, well, I don’t know if—”
“Leave the planning and costs to Aden and me.”
“I can’t do that. It wouldn’t be right.”
“Let me decide what’s right or wrong.” Aden’s voice booms in the empty room.
Oh, great. As if one’s not hard enough to handle, now I have to contend with both of them in the same small space.
“Look. I agreed to what’s being done in the entry, as well as the replacement of the bathroom door and front door last night. The rest of the repairs were not your decisions to make, either of you.”
“Is it the money you're concerned with?” Aden cocks his head to the side. “If so, then don’t worry. Everything is taken care of.”
Sophia closes her eyes and sucks in a deep breath. He doesn’t get it. They don’t get it.
Warm arms wrap around Sophia’s body, drawing her into a firm embrace. Her eyes snap open.
Aden lowers his head, and his lips brush against hers.
“Don’t even think about it.” Pulling away from him, Sophia turns and walks toward the door.
“Sophia.” Aden’s tone is short and clipped. “Don’t walk away.”
Chapter Four
Aden Clarkson
LOGAN’S PHONE RINGS. He answers the device then shakes his head. “Sorry, I’m needed downstairs.”
“Go. Do what you must.” Aden takes hold of Sophia’s arm. “We’ll be fine.” His inner gargouille picks up a mixture of anger and frustration swirling around her.
Sophia takes a step back, but Aden tightens his grip. He’s not about to allow her to retreat, not until they’ve had a chance to speak; to work this out.
Logan steps out of the room.
“Let go.” Sophia squirms in his arms.
He pins her body against the open door with his.
“Aden, stop it.” She glares up at him. “Let go.”
“Not until we’ve talked.”
“Fine. You want to talk. Let’s start first with you releasing me.” A flash of anger flickers across her eyes. “And secondly, you should’ve consulted me before moving forward with repairs.”
“I can see your upset.” He loosens his hold and brushes some hair out of her face.
“That’s an understatement.” The tone of her voice softens, and her shoulder’s roll forward.
“We were just trying to help. That’s all, nothing more.” He focuses on the sound of her racing heart.
“I know you were.” She sighs. “But you should’ve talked to me about what was being done.” She places a hand on his shoulder. “I can’t—I don’t have the funding to cover what’s being done.”
“Then let me take care of it,” he whispers in her ear.
“But I—”
He presses his lips to the nook of her neck. The feel and taste of her skin piques the interests of his inner gargouille, who struggles for release.
Sophia takes in a deep breath. Her body quivers under his touch, which makes his cock pulse.
“Please. It’s what I want to do if you’ll let me.” He caresses the side of her face then locks gazes with her. “And in the future, I’ll ask before moving forward with a plan that involves you or the bookstore. Logan and I both will.”
Her breath, now steady, is warm on the side of his neck. He can sense a shift in her, and he knows her anger is dissipating. He presses his lean frame against her, grinding his growing erection against her abdomen. Her eyes widen, and she licks her lips.
Aden knows he’s not playing fair—that his presence is disorienting to her. But he’s not about to allow her to slip away, not here, not now. “Are you and I good now?” He runs a hand up her back, making contact with her bare skin, which incites a wave of goose bumps to ripple across her body.
She exhales a slow, steady breath then relaxes against his frame. “We’re good—for now. But no more decisions without me, understand?” Her voice is soft, airy.
His lips lightly brush her jawline.
Sophia’s nipples harden and stand erect under her shirt. His inner gargouille drinks in the palatable fragrance of her arousal. She’s sweet, yielding in his arms. Bowing his head, he leaves a trail of kisses from her chin to the nook of her neck, which makes her quiver in his arms, once again.
She wraps her arms around his neck and draws him closer.
Tenderly, he nibbles on her ear. His hand slides under her shirt, covering her bra covered breast. Slipping under the lacy garment, he takes hold of an erect nipple.
Sophia moans. Her body awakens and responds to his caress.
He claims her lips, muffling her soft cries of pleasure.
“Fuck. Sophia,” he whispers in her ear. “I love how responsive your body is to my touch.”
Metal clanks in the room and her body stiffens. “Oh, my God, Aden.” Her brows shoot up. “Please.” Her hands fan out across his chest, pushing him away. “People can see what you’re doing.”
“Relax.” He kisses her lips “They’re paid well to be discreet.”
She turns away from him, avoiding his impending kiss. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Anger sparks up, once again, in her big brown eyes.
He caught off guard by her question. “It means, they’re on a retainer and have signed a full confidentiality contract. A disclaimer.” Aden presses her body back against the door, stilling her movement. “Our interaction appears as nothing more than two people enjoying each other’s company. For all they know, you could be my girlfriend.”
Breathing a heavy sigh, Sophia
looks up at him. “But I’m not your girlfriend.” She’s unable to mask the sting of his words. “And at this point, I don’t know what I am.”
Up until he met Sophia, he’d never had an issue anticipating the needs or wants of the women he entertained. But with her, fuck, it’s like he’s a fish out of water. “I want to explore that topic.” Aden searches her eyes, studying her reaction. “I’d like you to consider a more permanent arrangement.” He draws her back into his arms. “Would it be so bad if we saw more of each other?”
“You want to see more of me?” She shakes her head. “I think you’ve seen just about everything there is to see the last twenty-four hours. So, I’m not sure how you’d see more.”
Aden grins. The memory of how she smells, tastes, and feels flows through his thoughts. “Trust me, there’s much more I’d like to see, not to mention what I want to do to your body; however, I require more. I want to know you better. I’m talking about a relationship.”
Sophia’s body stiffens. “Did you just say you wanted a relationship?” Her eyes widen. “I thought you only fucked—isn’t that’s what you said.” Her voice quivers. “Crap. I’m so not ready for this conversation.” She swallows hard. “You need to slow down. Fuck. I can’t think straight.” She shakes her head. “Holy crap! I can’t start a relationship right now. I have school in the fall. Plus, we just met,” she stammers. “You know nothing about me. Hell, I don’t know anything about you either.”
He places a finger over her lips, silencing her. “I’m an open book. What do you want to know?”
“Oh, my God, it doesn’t work that way.”
“What doesn’t work that way?” He caresses the side of her face.
“A relationship.” She rubs her eyes. “Haven’t you ever had one before?”
“Beyond sex, no, I haven’t.” A grin washes across his lips. “And from what I can ascertain, you’ve not had much experience, either.”
“What the hell’s that supposed to mean?” She twists free of his grasp. “I have things to do, and we’re not having this conversation right now because I need time to think—I need some space—space away from you so I can concentrate.”
Beyond The Veil: A Paranormal & Magical Romance Boxed Set Page 205